Three Big Bash clubs will wear Indigenous jerseys as Cricket Australia drops the term “Australia Day” from promotions in a bid to normalise conversations over the date’s history, but the Prime Minister is unhappy with the move.
The Sydney Thunder, Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Renegades will all wear their special strips in matches on January 23, 25 and 26.
A barefoot circle, Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony will also take place before some games, with CA leading the initiative backed by the clubs.
The moves form part of several recommendations by the sport’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cricket Advisory Committee, with three games to be played on January 26.
“They thought it was pretty important to not remove cultural elements we have celebrated all season on a day like that,” Cricket Australia’s diversity & inclusion manager Adam Cassidy told AAP.
“Obviously it’s a bit of a challenge when you have matches being played on a day of mourning for a lot of people.”
However, the decision to stop referencing “Australia Day” has rather predictably drawn the ire of Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Speaking on radio station 4RO while touring Queensland, Morrison labelled the move “pretty ordinary”.
“I think a bit more focus on cricket, a little less focus on politics would be my message to Cricket Australia,” he said.
“I think that’s pretty ordinary – that’s what they’re putting on their press releases – that would be my view.”
This, of course, is coming from the same Prime Minister who had no problem focusing on the cricket during last summer’s bushfires.
“Going to be a great summer of cricket, and for our firefighters and fire-impacted communities, I’m sure our boys will give them something to cheer for,” he tweeted in late November, 2019, before the start of the Australia versus Pakistan Test series.
He also said just three days ago that it wasn’t his place to “provide lectures to anybody”, although apparently that doesn’t apply to this current situation.
CA are well aware the issue is a sensitive one and are desperate for it not to prove divisive, but want to encourage talk about the issue.
“When you are a business operating under a Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan, it does come with responsibility and accountability to lead on key reconciliation issues,” Cassidy said.
“In an ideal world what we’re trying to do is create a safe and inclusive environment for everybody.”
Indigenous jerseys have been worn across different sports for some time, but it is the first time they will be used over the Australia Day period.
The move has been firmly approved by the game’s players, with Sydney Thunder’s Brendan Doggett championing the cause through his own Indigenous history.
“I hate conflict. So I am of the opinion if we can all merge forward together that’s ideal,” Doggett said.
“The way we’re going to do that is by starting conversations and talking about it and acknowledging the history of what’s happened.
“If we wear the kit and hopefully even start one conversation then that is a win.”
The Thunder have long referred to the public holiday as the January long weekend and have been a leader in multicultural initiatives through the Thunder Cup.
Doggett meanwhile has grown increasingly aware of his Indigenous history in recent years, after only discovering his mother’s family’s links to the stolen generation around five years ago.
That too has changed his perspective on the day, which he says is now far different to when he was a carpenter in Queensland.
And it’s with that perspective he believes it is possible to become more united, believing wearing the Indigenous jerseys can help prompt that.
“For me now it’s more of a day to just recognise and acknowledge the history and everything that has happened. And do it respectfully.
“It makes me want to make sure that everyone’s moving forward together.
“It’s a pretty dark past but if we can move forward, together and united then in my opinion that’s the best result.”
With AAP.
Howzat
Guest
So you don't want anybody silenced - but you're sick of hearing the same dross every year, and it would be great if those pushing the issue just gave up. Hmmm sounds as though you do want a minority group silenced. AND that's the only reason you've put forward to date - that you don't like a minority group protesting. As I said that's not really a great reason.
ThighSlappinBalls
Roar Rookie
No I said I and many would like them to. Maybe who knows. Why because I and the vast majority of others would like them to but hey thats the beauty of living in a mostly free society those that choose to protest against the date can go for it.Like I said earlier a small minority rattling a noisy tin.I do not want to silence anyone I just have a personal opinion that I would hope they do cause I am sick of hearing the same dross every year.You are obviously invested in this but I and many others are not and just enjoy the day for what it is
Howzat
Guest
Well your only reason to date appears to be that we should shut down minority groups. That minorities should not have a voice in society. They should just give up. And that's not much of a reason to try and silence anybody. So I'm wondering what the real issue is as you see it.
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
Well said Mark D.
Rossi
Roar Rookie
There was no invasion! If so, then land rights wouldn't be given.
ThighSlappinBalls
Roar Rookie
Its reason enough for me is that not ok with you? You obviously have your opinions on the issue why would it beg a question?
Howzat
Guest
Cause it annoys me ain't really a reason to shut down a debate. AND it begs the question why does it annoy you ?
ThighSlappinBalls
Roar Rookie
Cause it annoys me Howzat now I am sure you are probably a decent bloke and you obviously care about this issue probably more than most I hope you enjoy the day tomorrow however you wish to spend it
Howzat
Guest
Well if that's your view then fair enough. But that doesn't make it a universal truth.
Howzat
Guest
OK - but WHY would you like them to. Also I'd agree that the majority at the moment would have Australia Day stay as it is - but I don't know if that automatically means that the majority would also like to shut down any debate or discussion.
ThighSlappinBalls
Roar Rookie
Maybe who knows. Why because I and the vast majority of others would like them to but hey thats the beauty of living in a mostly free society those that choose to protest against the date can go for it.
Micko
Roar Rookie
The problem is there is no issues it will solve. Just pure PC tokenism.
Andy
Roar Rookie
What a ridiculous article. I don’t know why the author thought it would be good to write an extremely biased political article on a sports site, and then not even give his/her actual name. Trying to get a job at The Age perhaps? It’s hard to take someone seriously when they’re so gutless that they hide behind ‘The Roar’ and stay anonymous.
Big Daddy
Guest
Howzat, I'm glad you have mentioned this " guest account " issue some people have. I choose not to write articles despite having watched and played a variety of sports for 40 years. Because I don't have "rookie,guru,or expert" beside my name it doesn't make me less knowledgeable than people that do have it or do we have a class system on this site.
Howzat
Guest
whoever you are who wrote this article and aren’t prepared to stand behind your comments. Says Insult_2_Injury. So either - somebody is ok with not putting their name of their comments - or their parents had a really quirky way of naming the kids.
Howzat
Guest
Yeah but wouldn't that have been the response every single time. Why should they give up ?
ThighSlappinBalls
Roar Rookie
In this instance yes it would be great if they just gave up
aussikiwi
Guest
1. It isn't "our" national day because it is a day which symbolises invasion and oppression for members of the first nation. Many others support a change to the date. It will happen eventually. 2. Attaching the product to a divisive event implicitly endorses that event and alienates a proportion of the community. Avoiding this endorsement (and thereby remaining neutral) is not the same as "denying that it even exists". 3. CA's decision not to attach its product to a divisive event is indeed a small gesture. It respects the first nation and avoids excluding indigenous people. It harms no one. Who could be legitimately offended and why?? 3. Why is the fact that I am a guest relevant?
Howzat
Guest
Micko - I think that the issue might be more at your end.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
“If you don’t agree with me you’re ignorant”...but I don’t want to listen to your opinion let alone comprehend it, which ironically makes me ignorant! ...just do as you’re told, that’s what they want.